Who offers refund advances and where to find them

Refund advance loans come from tax preparation companies, online lenders, and banks—not from the IRS or state tax agencies. The companies that offer them most visibly are the same ones that prepare your tax return: H&R Block, TurboTax, Jackson Hewitt, and Liberty Tax all market refund advances to their customers during tax season. Online lenders like MoneyLion, Earnin, and Brigit also offer them, though they market them under different names like "tax refund loans" or "refund anticipation loans." Some credit unions and regional banks offer them too, but availability depends on whether you bank there and whether they run the product during tax season.

The catch is timing and availability. Most refund advances are only offered between January and April, when people are filing taxes. If you file in May or later, or if you miss the tax season window, you will not find these loans available. The lenders that offer them online year-round are typically personal loan companies that do not tie the loan to your tax refund at all—they just lend you money against your expected income, which is a different product with different terms and costs.

Key Takeaways

  • Tax preparation companies like H&R Block, TurboTax, and Jackson Hewitt offer refund advances to customers who file through them, usually for $250 to $1,500.
  • Online lenders like MoneyLion and Earnin offer refund advances or similar products, but you do not have to file your taxes through them to use the loan.
  • Refund advances are only widely available during tax season (January through April); after that, the product largely disappears.
  • The cost of a refund advance varies by lender but typically ranges from $30 to $150 in fees, plus interest if the loan term extends beyond a few weeks.
  • You will need to provide proof of your expected refund amount, usually by uploading a copy of your tax return or IRS transcript.

Tax preparation companies and their refund advance products

H&R Block offers the Refund Advance through its tax preparation service. If you file your return through H&R Block (online, at a local office, or by mail), you can request an advance of up to $3,500 against your expected refund. The fee is typically $89, and you receive the money within one business day if you are approved. You do not have to use H&R Block to prepare your return to get the advance—you can file on your own and then apply for the advance separately, though the process is simpler if you file through them.

TurboTax offers the Refund Advance through Pathward, a bank partner. The advance is available to TurboTax customers who file a federal return, and the maximum is $3,000. The fee is $0 if you meet income requirements (generally under $66,000 for single filers), or $29 to $89 if you do not. Approval and funding typically happen within one business day. You must file through TurboTax to use this product.

Jackson Hewitt offers the Refund Advance Loan to customers who file through its offices or online platform. The maximum advance is $3,500, and the fee ranges from $50 to $150 depending on the advance amount. Funding happens within one business day for approved applicants. Jackson Hewitt also offers a version called the Rapid Refund that works similarly.

Liberty Tax offers the Liberty Advance, which works like other refund advances but is available only to customers who file through Liberty Tax offices or online. The maximum is $3,500, and fees vary by location and advance amount, typically $50 to $150. Funding is usually within one business day.

Online lenders and fintech companies offering refund advances

MoneyLion offers a product called Refund Advance through its app. You do not have to file your taxes through MoneyLion—you can file anywhere and then apply for the advance through the app. The maximum advance is $1,000, and there is no fee if you are approved. You must link your bank account and provide proof of your expected refund (usually a screenshot of your tax software or an IRS transcript). Funding typically happens within one to two business days.

Earnin offers a product called Refund Advance that works similarly to MoneyLion. The maximum is $1,000, there is no upfront fee, and you can file your taxes anywhere. You provide proof of your expected refund through the app, and funding happens within one to two business days. Earnin also offers a subscription service called Earnin Max that includes other features.

Brigit offers a refund advance product to members of its app. The maximum is $250, and there is no fee for the advance itself, though Brigit charges a monthly subscription ($9.99 or $19.99 depending on the tier) for access to other features. You provide proof of your expected refund, and funding happens within one business day.

Dave offers a similar product called Refund Advance through its app. The maximum is $500, there is no fee for the advance, and you must be a Dave member (which costs $1 per month or is free with direct deposit). You provide proof of your expected refund, and funding happens within one business day.

Banks and credit unions offering refund advances

Some regional and national banks offer refund advances during tax season, though the availability and terms vary widely. Chime, an online bank, has offered refund advances to customers in the past, though the product is not always available. Capital One has offered them to customers with Capital One 360 accounts. Navy Federal Credit Union and other large credit unions sometimes offer refund advances to members, but you have to ask your specific institution whether they run the product in a given year.

The advantage of getting a refund advance from your own bank or credit union is that the process is often simpler—they already have your account information and can deposit the money directly. The disadvantage is that availability is inconsistent, and the terms may not be as competitive as what online lenders offer. Call your bank or credit union in January to ask whether they offer refund advances and what the terms are.

How to compare refund advance offers

The main things to compare are the maximum advance amount, the fee, the interest rate (if any), and how fast you get the money. Most refund advances have no interest rate—you pay a flat fee and get the money back when your actual refund arrives. Some lenders charge interest if you do not repay within a certain number of days, so read the terms carefully.

Create a simple table of the lenders you are considering. Write down the maximum you can borrow, the fee, whether there is interest, and how long funding takes. Then subtract the fee from the advance amount to see what you actually receive. For example, if H&R Block offers you $1,000 with an $89 fee, you get $911. If MoneyLion offers you $1,000 with no fee, you get $1,000. The difference matters if you need the full amount.

Also check whether the lender requires you to file your taxes through them or whether you can file anywhere. If you have already filed your taxes or plan to file through a different service, a lender that does not require you to file through them (like MoneyLion or Earnin) will be faster and simpler.

What you need to provide to get a refund advance

All refund advance lenders require proof of your expected refund amount. This usually means uploading one of the following: a screenshot of your tax software showing your refund amount, a copy of your filed tax return (Form 1040 plus any schedules), or an IRS transcript showing your refund. If you have not filed yet, some lenders will let you upload a draft return from your tax software, but most require you to have actually filed with the IRS.

You will also need to provide your Social Security number, date of birth, and bank account information (routing number and account number). The lender uses your bank account to deposit the advance and to withdraw the repayment when your actual refund arrives. Some lenders also run a credit check, though many refund advance lenders do not require a minimum credit score.

The entire process usually takes 10 to 15 minutes online. You upload your documents, enter your personal information, and get a decision within a few minutes to a few hours. If you are approved, the money hits your bank account within one business day, sometimes the same day.

What happens if your actual refund is smaller than the advance

If the IRS reduces your refund after you have taken an advance, you will owe the difference to the lender. For example, if you took a $1,000 advance and your actual refund is only $800, you owe the lender $200. Most refund advance agreements say the lender will withdraw the repayment from your bank account automatically when your refund arrives. If your refund is smaller than expected, the lender will withdraw what they can and may ask you to pay the rest.

This is rare but it happens—usually because the IRS finds an error on your return, you claimed a credit you were not may have access to to, or you had a tax debt that reduced your refund. Before you take a refund advance, make sure your return is correct and that you have accounted for any tax debts or child support arrears that might reduce your refund.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund advance if I have not filed my taxes yet?

Most lenders require you to have filed your return with the IRS before they will approve an advance. Some will accept a draft return from your tax software, but approval is faster and more certain once you have actually filed. File first, then apply for the advance.

Do I have to file my taxes through the company that offers the refund advance?

No, not always. Tax preparation companies like H&R Block and TurboTax make it easier if you file through them, but you can file anywhere and then apply for an advance from a different lender. Online lenders like MoneyLion and Earnin do not require you to file through them at all.

What if I do not get approved for a refund advance?

Lenders deny refund advances for a few reasons: your refund amount is too small (most lenders have a minimum, usually $300 to $500), you have not filed your return yet, or your bank account information does not match your identity. If you are denied, try a different lender—approval standards vary.

How long does it take to get the money after I am approved?

Most lenders fund refund advances within one business day, and many do it the same day you are approved. If you apply on a Friday evening, expect the money on Monday. Some lenders are faster than others, so check the specific lender's timeline before you apply.

Is a refund advance the same as a tax refund loan?

The terms are often used the same way, but technically a refund advance is a short-term loan against your expected refund, while a tax refund loan can mean different things depending on the lender. A refund advance is repaid when your actual refund arrives. A tax refund loan might be repaid over a longer period or might have different terms. Read the contract to see what you are actually getting.